 Violet Dawn (Kanner Lake Series #1)
by Brandilyn Collins
List Price: $14.99
Sale Price: $1.75
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Review – Violet Dawn
Reviewed by Cara Putman
I highly recommend this book to lovers of tight suspense.
As a reader who inhales Brandilyn’s suspense, I was excited and a little nervous to pick up a copy of Violet Dawn. It is the first book in the Kanner Lake series, with a different ensemble feel than the Hidden Faces series. Hidden Faces in told in the first person from Annie’s point of view. Violet Dawn bounces around an ensemble cast of characters while focusing on Paige Williams and Rachel Brandt.
Kanner Lake is a idyllic fictional town set in Idaho. A perfect tourist resort along the lines of Coeur d’Alene, Paige Williams believes it is the place to escape her past. When her past catches her, she throws herself on a crazy ride to try to escape its clutches. Some of her angst is of her own creation, but I found all of her actions believable, even as I wanted to scream at her “don’t do that.” It’s a 24 hour roller coaster ride, with flashes to the past with another character Rachel. At first these backward glimpses give you as the reader a chance to catch your breath. But as you near the end, the plots collide increasing the pace of the story. The ensemble cast gathers at the Java Joint for their morning coffee mixed with analysis of the town. There isn’t time in this book to flesh each of them out fully, but I didn’t expect that. The three or four who interact with Paige become real and distinctive as the pages turn. I look forward to their further development in the coming books of the series, while hoping I get to see more of Paige. I also found the faith elements of the book real and unforced. The majority of the book occurs within a twenty-four hour period, making it impossible to probe the full depths of the character’s faith, yet letting us see their questions, fears, and faith. Brandilyn strikes a balance that strikes me as real. Her portrayal of faith resonates because it isn’t shoe-horned in to the story, but is a natural outgrowth of the characters’ experiences and background. When I read suspense, I race the author to see if I can figure out who’s doing it before the antagonist is revealed. Violet Dawn was filled with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing even when my gut started leaning in a direction. I highly recommend this book to lovers of tight suspense. |
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Reviewer Info
Cara Putman
In 2005 she attended a book signing at her local Christian bookstore. The rest, as they say, was history. There she met Colleen Coble. With prompting from her husband, Cara shared her dream with Colleen. Since those infamous words, Cara’s been writing books. Heartsong Presents is publishing a three book series of World War Two romances: Canteen Dreams (October 2007), Sandhill Dreams (May 2008), and Captive Dreams (September 2008). Love Inspired Suspense published her first romantic suspense in May 2008. Now she’s working on the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Business Law (don’t ask!) and the first book in an Ohio World War Two series. Cara is also an attorney, lecturer at a Big Ten university, women’s ministry leader, and all around crazy woman. Crazy about God, her husband and her kids that is. |
Since the time she could read Nancy Drew, CARA PUTMAN has wanted to write mysteries. For years she asked God if this dream was from Him. Her life was full. She graduated with honors from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Go Huskers!), moved to the Washington, DC area, married the man of her dreams, worked in the non-profit world, went to George Mason Law School at night while working, and then started having children. While her life was far from empty, the dream wouldn’t die. Then she followed her husband to Indiana. Talk about starting over! 
